KOLKATA: The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) today further relaxed the indefinite bandh in the Darjeeling hills, which was to resume from tomorrow, till August 7.
“The relaxation is to pave the way for tripartite talks for a separate Gorkhaland state,” GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said.
During the relaxation period, people in the hills would hold prayer meetings in support of Gorkhaland, he said.
From tomorrow, however, the GJM would enforce closure of all central and West Bengal government offices, hill council offices and hydel projects in the hills, but banks, post offices and FCI offices would be allowed to function on Mondays and Fridays, Giri said.
This was decided at the party’s central committee meeting presided over by GJM chief Bimal Gurung.
The indefinite bandh began on June 16, but a 60-hour relaxation was given from 6:00 pm of June 22, which was further relaxed till July five.
Reiterating its demand for a tripartite meeting in Delhi, Giri said Bimal Gurung had written yesterday to West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and his reply was awaited.
On enforcing ‘Gorkhaland'(GL) numberplate on vehicles from July 7, he said those of GJM central committee members would first adopt it, which would be followed by those of government and private vehicles and taxis. (Economic Times)